Control device



Nov. 2, '1943. w. A. v. THOMSEN CONTROL DEVI CE Filed Sept. 2O 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l WQ mw ATTORNEY' Nov. 2, ,1943.

MV. A. V. THOMSEN CONTROL DEVICE Filed Sept. 2O 1941 2 SheetS-Sheeb 2 ATTORNEY/ Patented Nov. 2, 1943 v CQNTROL DEVICE.

William A. Thomsen, MontclailgN. 'J.,rassig-nor to Specialtieslcvelopment.Cerporatiomzloomeld. N. J., a corporation ofNew :Jersey Application September 20, 1941,` Serial No. 411,763

25 Claims'.

The present invention relates tocoutrol .devices. and more particularly `to accntrol device adapted to be actuated by theapplication of a relatively slight force to operate the valves or systems for dispensing ordiscliargng a medium stored under bleh pressure. l

The present virlverulon alms to provide a control device used in ,connection with vsystems .for releasing a uid pressure medium, such .as carbon dioxide. Whichis adapted to extinguish fires. iniiete dotation bass. lite rafts or thelikecr cperate various pressure actuated mechanism. The device of the present yinvention is particularly adapted to control the operation cf the valves of such systems- An object of tllepreseut inventiony iste provide e control device adapted to be actuated bye relatively slight force.

Another object of the invention is to provide a contro-l device adapted to be operated by air pressure supplied by an explosive force Vor'by a pressure medium. or Aby mechanical actuating' means.

Another object is to provides. control device adapted to be actuated locally lor from avremote location.

Another object is to provide a control `device which is positive and `effective in operation, is constructed of a minimum `number of parts, and

can be economically manutactured and asn sembled.

Another object is to provide a control device which is sturdy in construction` and requires a minimun; amount of maintenance and repair.

Another object is to provide a control deviceV of the `spring stored energy type which is readily reset.

A furtherI object is `to provide-a control device wherein the resetting and indication of opera.- tion are accomplished -bya s inglemeans.

@ther and further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent when described in greater detail in connection lwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view `of a lcontro-l device, illustrating an embodiment. of the .present invention.

Figure 2 is a to-p view of the control device, with the cover removed and a portion broken away to illustrate the interior.

Figure 3 is a sectional .view taken substantially along theline 3-3 on Figure l.

Figure 4 isa sectional view vtaken substantially along the line 4-4 on Figure l.

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to Figure 1 ShQwing .thepalts of, the device after operation thereof.

Reellng tothe drawings, there is shown a control device compris/ine .a easngor housing Hl hayinga bell or trumpet shaped chamber Il therein for .housing theoperating parts of the device Which will bedescribed hereafter. The interior'lower portion 0f, the casing is provided with a. tubular portion l2 in which is secured asubstantially cylindrical .tubular sleeve I4 having an outwardly extending ange I5 adjacent its lower end, adapted ,to Vcarry a coupling nut I6 A,for attaching the device to a valve in a pressure medium dispensing or discharging system (not shown).

The sleeve I4 provides a chamber for a cylindrical helical Spring I1 adapted to store energy which may be utilized to move a plunger I9A which Ain turn may ,control the Opening .of a valve. `The plunger I9 is sli'dably supported by a housing member 2,0 secured'in the `lower portion of the. sleeve and having a `packing or sealingmember 2l extending about the shank of the plunger. Theupper portion of the plunger has an outwardly extending 'flange 22 for carrying a washer 2 4, and apair of `linlrmembers 25 telescoped Athrough .thefspring I1. have their lower ends yattached to the plunger at 26 by a rivet orthe like. The springA I1 is adapted to be compressed by moving the'link members 25 upwardly, whereby the washer 24` engages the lower end of the spring and causes the upper end of the spring to be forced against an inwardly extending ange 21 at the upper end of the sleeve I4. The link members are held in their upper position Ato `load the spring by a latch and lever system about lto-be described.

The latch and `lever system illustrated herein, may comprise a pair of levers 3D `arranged side l by Side, each'leverll being pivoted on a pin yor rod 3| -`suitably journalled in the casing IB. A suitable pin Yor rivet 32 extends through the levers 3ll,fa djacent `tlflepin 3l and the respective free ends of the pin or rivet 32 `are each adapted y' to pivotally support one of the spring compres- 36 is pivotally connected Vadjacent `the free end of'each yarm by asuitable lpin or rivet 3l. The latching 'lever 38 is provided with `a notch or recess 39, adjacent the pivot pin 31, for receiving a pin 40 for holding the levers 30 and 36 in latched position. The pin 4|] may be slidably mounted in the casing l (Figure 3) by securing one end thereof to a plunger 4I slidably mounted in a bore 42 in the casing. The plunger 4I is adapted to be urged inwardly by a spring 44 coiled about the plunger. The spring 44 has one end engaging a head 45 on the plunger and has itsother end engaging a retaining disc 46 threaded into `the bore 42. The outer end of the plunger carries a manually engageable knob or gripping member 41 for retracting the plunger in opposition to the spring 44 to move the pin 40 out of latching position. When the pin 40 is inlatching position, its

free end may extend into a bore or aperture 49l in the casing which provides additional support for the pin and serves to maintain the pin in alignment.

The lever 36 is provided with a relatively longarm 56 adapted to be tripped by a slight force to permit the lever 36 to pivot and cause the notch or recess 39 to move away from the pin Ml.l Preferably, the free end 'of the arm 50 has a lugor ear l (Figure 1) for engaging a notch 52 provided in the. arm 53 of a trigger lever 54 which is pivotally mounted on a rod 5,5 (Figure 4) supported in the casing lll. The lever` 54 has an arm 56 to which one end of a spring 51, or the like, is attached, and the other end of the spring is suitably connected to the casing at 59. The spring 51 is slightly tensioned to maintain the arml 56 in a position so that the notch 52 of the trigger lever engages the lug or ear 5I -on the arm of` the latching lever. When the arm 56 is moved in opposition to the spring 51 the latching lever 36 is released.

The trigger lever 54 may be oscillated to release thelatch-lever 36 lby means of a pull cable actuated device (Figure4). Such a device may comprise a cam member 60 slidably mounted in a bore 6I in the casinglll; a sleeve 62 secured to thelcamfandextending through a guide 64; and a spring 65l coiled about the'sleeve 62, the spring having one end engaging the guide 64and having the other. end engaging the cam member. A pull cable or other flexible member BBeXten-ds through the sleeve 62, and is secured to the cam member 6 0 by a set screw-6.1..A The cam memberis provided by a frusto-conical cam portion 69 positioned to engage an arcuate portion of the trigger leverarm k53 when the cable is pulled to move the cam member 60 towards the lever 54 in opposition -to the spring 65. v

The .trigger lever 54 may also be moved to release the latch .lever 36` by the operation of a pneumatic device (Figure 1) Such a device may comprise a diaphragm 1I positioned at the tcp of the casing l0 and held in position by a cover 12 for the casing.v A conduit14 is attached to the cover for introducing a blast of air or other suitable pressure medium which is conducted by apertures and 16toa recess 11 in the cover above the diaphragm, a-nd is adapted to move the diaphragm downwardly to engage and move the arm 56 of the lever 54-to release the latch lever.36. If desired, the central portion ofthe,

diaphragmV may be provided with a pair of reinforcing discs 19 suitably sec-uredthereto. In order to vent pressure in the recess 11, a relief or bleed device ,is in -communication with the and for resetting the device. The foregoing may be accomplished by pivotally suspending an ndicating and resetting member from the pin or rivet 31 connecting the levers 36 and 36 (Figures 1, 3 and 5) The member 85 preferably comprises a substantially cylindrical body portion 36 having a conspicuous color; a pair of ears 81 at the upper end of the body portion for receiving the pin or rivet 31; and a substantially circular bottom portion 89 providing a thumb rest or manu- .f ally engageable portion for resetting the device.

`vWhen the device is operated by retracting the pin 40 or releasing the trigger an-d latch levers by means of the cam V64] or the diaphragm 1l, the member 85 is moved downwardly through an vaperture 90 in the casing I6, and is clearly visible to indicate that the device has been operated (Figure 5). In order to reset the device the bottom portion 89 is engaged manually and is pushed upwardly into the aperture 9U. This causes the arm 35 of theV levers 3Dv and Vthe lever 36 to be car-` ried upwardly in, opposition to the spring l1, and enables the pin 40 to reengage the notch 39 of the latch lever 36. 'As this occurs, the lug 5I on the arm 50 of the lever' 36 reengages the notch 52 of the trigger lever 54, whereby the levers are reset.

The bottom 89 of the resetting and indicating member may be knurled'or corrugated to facilitate manual engagement and may be suiciently large to provide a good grip. The resetting and indicating member may be protected by a cup shaped cap or guard member 9 l, formed of transparent material through ywhich the member 85 is readily Visible when in its lower position. The guard member, preferably, is threaded intothe aperture 90, and may be readily unscrewed to attain accessto the member 85 .when it is desired to reset the device.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the present invention provides a control device which `is readily actuated by locally or remotely controlled means. The device is provided with means which serve to indicate when the device has been actuated and, at the same time,`

may be utilized to reset the device. The resetting means arereadily operable, andV a minimum amountV of. manual eiort is required toreset the operating spring, and the latch and lever system. The parts of the deviceare rugged in construction, and can readily withstand any rough usage to which they may be subjected. v

,While myv invention resides in certain principles ofV construction and operation which have been illustrated and described in connection with Vthe accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in other forms of construction with- Yout departing in any manner from the spirit and scope of the invention, and I therefore do not wish to be strictlylimited to the disclosure, but rather to the-scope of the appended claims.

I claim: l.

l. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring, spring compressing means including a member foroperating said means, a latching member operatively connected tosaid irst member, latching means for maintaining saidlat'chin'gV member in a position whereby said rst member is adapted to maintain' said means in a-spring'compressingposition, means for rendering said latching means ineffective, and a manually engageable member carried by said members for moving said latching member into latched position,

levers for moving said latching lever into latched position.

3.. In a device of the class described, the combination of a. spring, spring` compressing' means including a pivotally mounted lever for operating said means, a latching lever, a pivot for pivotally connecting said levers, means for latching saidv latching lever in a position whereby said first lever maintains said rst means in a spring compressing position, meansior rendering said latching meansiineffective, and a manuallyv engageable member pivotally suspended from said pivot for moving said latching lever into latched position.l

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring, spring compressing means including a member for operati-ng said means, a i.:

latching member operatively connected to said rst member, latching means for maintaining said latching member in a position whereby said rst member is adapted to maintain said rst means in a spring compressing position, means for rendering said latching means ineiective, and a manually engageable member carried by said members for moving said latching member into latched position, said last member serving to indicate when said latching member is in an unlatched position.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring, spring compressing means including a pivotally mounted lever for operating said means, a latching lever, a pivot for pivotally connecting said levers, means for latching said latching lever in a position whereby said first lever maintains said rst means in a spring compressing position, means for rendering said latching means ineective, a manually engageable member pivotally suspended from said pivot for moving said latching lever into latched position, and a lcasing for said foregoing elements, said casing having an aperture through which said manually engageable member is adapted to' project when said latching lever is unlatched; whereby said member provides a visible indication that said latching lever is unlatched.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring, spring compressing means including a lever for operating said means, a latching lever pivotally connected to said first lever, means for engaging said latching lever for latching said latching lever whereby said rst lever maintains said first means in a spring compressing position, a manually engageable member operatively connected to said latching lever for moving said latching lever into latched position, and a tripping lever for engaging and unlatching said latching lever.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring, spring compressing means including a lever for operating said means, a latching lever pivotally connected to said first lever and having a groove therein, pin means for engaging the groove in said latching lever for latching said latching lever whereby saidI rst lever maintains said first means in a spring compressing position, a manually engageable member operatively connected to: said latchingy lever for movingA said latching lever into latcl'ied` position, and. means for eiecting disengagement of said. pin, andgroove to unlatch said' latching lever.

8. In a device of the class described,.the combination of a spring, spring` compressing means including a lever for operating said". means, a latching lever pivotally connected to said first lever, means for engaging said latching lever ior` latching saidv latching lever whereby said first lever maintains said first means in a spring compressing position, a manually engageable member operatively connected to said latchingy lever for moving said latching lever into latehedi position, a tripping lever for engaging and unlatching saidy latching lever, and. means for moving said' tripping lever to cause said tripping lever to unlatch said latching` lever.

9. `In a device of the class described, the combination. of a spring, spring compressing means including a lever for operating said means, al

latching lever pivotally connected to said first lever, means for engaging said latching lever for latching said latching lever whereby said first lever maintains said first means in a spring compressing position, a manually engageable memlber operatively connected to said latching lever for moving said latching lever into latched position, a tripping lever for engaging and unlatching said latching lever, and cam means for moving said tripping lever to causeV said tripping lever to unlatchsaid latching lever.

10. In. a device of the classA described, the combination of a spring, spring compressing means including a lever for operating said means, a latching lever pivotally connected to said first lever, means for engaging said latching lever for latchingy said latching lever whereby said rst lever maintains said first means in a spring compressing position, a manually engageable member operatively connected tosaid latching lever' for moving said latching lever into latched position, a tripping lever for engaging and unlatcl'iing said` latching lever, and pressure actuated means for moving said tripping lever to cause said tripping lever to unlatch said'.` latching lever.

11. In a deviceA of. the class described, the combination or a spring; spring compressing means including` a lever for operating said means; a latching lever operatively connected to said rst lever and having a groove therein; pin means for engaging the groove in said latching lever for latching said latching lever in a position whereby said. rst lever maintains said first means in a spring compressing position; a manually engageable member operatively connected to said latching lever for moving said latching lever into latched position; a tripping lever for engaging and unlatching said latching lever; and means for moving said pin means out of engagement with the groove in said latching lever to effect unlatching of said latching lever.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring; spring compressing means including a lever for operating said means; a latching lever operatively connected to said nrst lever; means for engaging said latching lever for latching said latching lever in a position whereby said rst lever maintains said 'rst means in a spring compressing position; a manually engageable member operatively connected to saidl latching lever for moving saidl latching lever into latched position; a tripping lever for engaging and unl'atching said. latching lever; means forl moving said tripping lever to cause said tripping lever tounlatch said latching lever; and a casing for said foregoing elements, said casing having an aperture through which said manually engageable member is adapted t0 project when said latching lever is unlatched and thereby provide a visible indication that said latching lever is unlatched.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring; spring compressing means including a pivotally mounted lever for operating said means; a latching lever; a pivot for pivotally connecting saidlevers; means for latching said latching lever to maintain said first lever and said rst means in a spring compressing position; a pivotally mounted tripping lever for engaging and unlatching said latching lever; resilient means for maintaining said tripping lever in engagement with said latching lever; a manually engageable member pivotally suspended from said pivot for moving said latching Vlever into latched position; and a casing for said foregoing elements, said casing having an aperture through which said last member is adapted to project when said latching lever is unlatched whereby said last member prom'des a visible indication that said latching lever is unlatched.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring; spring compressing means including a pivotally mounted lever for operating said means; a latching lever; a pivot for` pivotally connecting said levers; means for latching said latching lever to maintain said first lever and said rst means in a spring compressing position; a pivotally mounted tripping lever for engaging andl unlatching said latching lever; resilient means for maintaining said tripping lever in engagement with said latching lever; a cam for engaging said tripping lever and moving it to cause said latching lever to be unlatched; a manually engageableV member pivotally suspended from said pivot for moving said latching lever into latched position; and a casing for said foregoing elements, said casing having an aperture through which said last member is adapted t0 project when said latching lever is unlatched whereby said last member provides a visible indication that said latching lever is unlatched.

15` In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring, spring compressing means including a pivotally mounted lever for operating said lever; a latching lever; a pivot for pivotally connecting said levers; means for latching said latching lever to maintain said rst lever and means in a spring compressing position; a pivotally mounted tripping lever for engaging and unlatching said latching lever; resilient means for maintaining said tripping lever in engagement with said latching lever; a pressure actuated diaphragm for engaging said tripping lever and moving it to cause said latching lever to be unlatched; a manually engageable member pivotally suspended from said pivot for moving said latching lever into latched position; and a casing for said foregoing elements, said casing having an aperture through which said last member is adapted to project when said latching lever is unlatched whereby said last member provides a visible indication that said latching lever is unlatched.

16. In a device of the class described, the combnationfof a spring; compressing means including va lever for operating said means; a latching lever operatively connected to said first lever andv having ya groove therein; pin means adapted to extend into the groove in said latching lever for latching said latching lever in a position whereby said first lever maintains said rst means in a spring ycompressing position; a manually engageable member operativelyconnected to said latching lever for moving said latching lever into latched position; and means for moving said pin means out of engagement with said latching lever to effect unlatching of said latching lever.

17. In a device of'the class described, the combination of a spring; spring compressing means including a pivotally mounted lever for operating said means; a latching lever having a groove therein; a pivot for pivotally connecting said levers; pin means adapted to extend into the groove in said latching lever for latching said latching lever in a position, whereby said nrst lever maintains said first means in a spring compressing position; a manually engageable member pivotally suspended from said pivot for moving said latching lever into latched position; and means for moving said pin means out of engagement with said latching lever to effect unlatching of said latching lever.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring; spring compressing means including a lever for operating said means; a latching lever operatively connected to said rst lever; means for engaging said latching lever for latching said latching lever in a position whereby said first lever maintains said first means in a spring compressing position; a manually engageable member operatively connected to said latching member for moving said latching lever into latching position; a tripping lever for engaging and unlatching said latchinglever; a cam for engaging said tripping lever and moving it to cause said latching lever to be unlatched; and a casing for said foregoing elements, said casing having an aperture through which said manually engageable member is adapted to project when said latching lever is unlatched and thereby providing a visible indication that said latching lever is unlatched.

19. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring; spring compressing means including a lever for operating said means; a latching lever operatively connected to said rst lever; means for engaging said latching lever for l latching said latching lever in a position whereby said rst lever maintains said first means in a spring compressing position; a manually engageable member operatively connected to said latching member for moving said latching lever into latched position; a tripping lever for engaging and unlatching said latching lever; a pressure actuated diaphragm for engaging said tripping lever and moving it to cause said latching lever to be unlatched; and a casing for said foregoing elements, said casing having an aperture through which said manually engageable member is adapted to project when said latching lever is unlatched and thereby providing a visible indication that said latching lever is unlatched.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring; spring compressing means including a pivotally mounted lever for operating said means; a latching lever; a pivot for pivotally connecting said lever; means for latching said latching lever to maintain said first lever and said first means in a spring compressing position; means including a tripping lever for eecting unlatching of said latching lever; a manually engageable member pivotally supported from said pivot for moving said latching lever into latched position and a casing for said foregoing elements, said casing having an aperture through which said last member is adapted to project when said latching member is unlatched whereby said last member provides a visible indication that said latching lever is unlatched.

21. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring; spring compressing means including a pivotally mounted lever for operating said means; a latching lever; a pivot for pivotal- 1y connecting said levers; means for latching said latching lever to maintain said first lever and said rst means in spring compressing position; a pivotally mounted tripping lever for engaging and unlatching said latching lever; resilient means for maintaining said tripping lever in engagement with said latching lever; means for moving said tripping lever to cause said tripping lever to unlatch said latching lever; a

manually engageable member pivotally suspended from said pivot for moving said latching lever into latched position; and a casing for said foregoing elements, said casing having an aperture through which said last member is adapted to project when said latching lever is unlatched, whereby said last member provides a visible indication that said latching lever is unlatched.

22. In a device of the class described, the combination of a. spring; spring compressing means including a member for operating said means; a latching member operatively connected to said first member; latching means for maintaining said latching member in a position whereby said first member is adapted to maintain said rst means in a spring compressing position; means for rendering said latching means ineffective; a manually engageable member operatively connected to said members for moving said latching member into latched position; and a. casing for said foregoing elements, said casing having an aperture through which said manually engageable member is adapted to project when said latching member is unlatched, whereby said manually engageable member provides a visible indication that said latching member is unlatched.

23. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring; spring compressing means including a member for operating said means; a latching member operatively connected to said rst member; latching means for maintaining said latching member in a position whereby said first member is adapted to maintain said rst means in a spring compressing position; means for rendering said latching means ineffective; a manually engageable member operatively connected to said members for moving said latching member into latched position; a casing for said foregoing elements, said casing having an aperture through which said manually engageable member is adapted to project when said latching member is unlatched, whereby said manually engageable member provides a visible indication that said latching member is unlatched; and a guard member on said casing for shielding and permitting observation of said manually engageable member when it projects through the aperture of said casing.

24. In a device of the class' described, the combination of a spring; spring compressing means including a member for moving said means, a latching member operatively associated with said means, latching means for maintaining said latching member in a position whereby said first means is maintained in a spring compressing position, means for rendering said latching means ineiective, and a manually engageable member operatively connected for operating said rst member to move said first means into spring compressing position and said latching member into latching position.

25. In a device of the class described, the combination of a spring, spring compressing means including a lever for operating said means, a latching lever carried by said first lever, means for latching said latching lever in a position whereby first lever maintains said first means in a spring compressing position, means for rendering said latching means ineffective, and a manually engageable member carried by said levers for moving said latching lever into latched position, said manually engageable member serving to indicate when said latching lever is in an unlatched position.

WILLIAM A. V. THOMSEN. 

